Transplantation and the Trauma Surgeon

The number of satisfactory vascular organs suitable for organ transplantation can be increased appreciably by a close working relationship between traumatologists and transplant surgeons. Benefits will derive from more precise and rapid field management of braininjured patients, with subsequent appropriate stabilization. If brain death is declared, prompt referral for organ donation with optimal management should result in well-functioning organs for transplantation. A defined team approach with well-defined protocols could solve most of the medical and moral dilemmas. Compassionate emotional support should be provided for families, particularly minorities, and should extend to inexperienced staff. Underlying these goals are a strong institutional commitment to staff education and an understanding of the lifesaving role that organ transplantation can play. suitable for organ transplantation can be increased appreciably by a close working relationship between traumatologists and transplant surgeons. Benefits will derive from more precise and rapid field management of braininjured patients, with subsequent appropriate stabilization. If brain death is declared, prompt referral for organ donation with optimal management should result in well-functioning organs for transplantation. A defined team approach with well-defined protocols could solve most of the medical and moral dilemmas. Compassionate emotional support should be provided for families, particularly minorities, and should extend to inexperienced staff. Underlying these goals are a strong institutional commitment to staff education and an understanding of the lifesaving role that organ transplantation can play

Civilian field surgery in the rural trauma setting: a proposal for providing optimal care.

Rural trauma presents unique problems for surgical care. While military surgeons are prepared to provide care at or near the scene of battle civilian literature is devoid of reports for care provided by surgeons at sites of injury occurrences. Although these injuries are infre- quent they are more likely to occur in rural trauma settings. This article describes two cases of extremity injury that required amputa- tion at the scene and presents a proposal for swift mobilization of appropriately trained sur- geons to the scene with adequate instru- mentation and lighting which can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality of these victims. Originally published Journal of the National Medical Association Vol. 84 No. 9 Sep 199